"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress and Consort Shu are requesting an audience," Su Shun said as he walked in.

  Zong Zhengjin lay on the couch, his eyes still closed, "Let them in."

  "We wish Your Majesty good health," they both half-knelt and paid their respects.

  "Rise and take your seat."

  The queen glanced at the person on the couch, sat down, "Your Majesty, I came over to ask if you plan to promote the ranks of the various sisters during the Mid-Autumn Festival this time?"

  The empress, as the mistress of the six palaces, is qualified to decide on her own to promote or demote concubines below the rank of pin, provided that the emperor does not object to this move.

  Zong Zhengjin thought for a moment, "Forget it, they havent been in the palace for long, lets talk about it after the New Year."

  "I understand," the empress replied, "I suppose all of you sisters will comprehend the emperors intention."

  Qiao Jingyu is now the first of the four consorts, and if she rises again, she will become a noble imperial concubine or empress. However, the position of noble imperial concubine usually only exists when there is no empress or when the empresss power has been stripped away, making her position nominal. And as for the empress, she was currently sitting right in front of Qiao Jingyu.

  So she wont have any unexpected surprises in this life, her promotion is hopeless. Fortunately, she has long seen through it and doesnt care about it anymore.

  "Your Majesty, now that you mention it, I also have a request for Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will grant me this wish."

  Zong Zhengjin finally opened his eyes, with great interest, "Oh? Juner, tell me."

  For so many years, Qiao Jing had rarely asked him for anything. At this time, she probably wouldnt be so unaware of the situation either; otherwise, he wouldnt mind letting her know what to do and what not to do.

  Thinking of the news brought by Meng Wentian this morning, Zong Zhengjin only felt relieved. He spent two years cutting off the corrupt officials left over from the previous dynasty and nearly five years concentrating power in his own hands.

  From now on, he no longer needs to be subject to anyone.

  The Empress Shu smiled and said, "Your Majesty mustnt get angry when you hear this."

  "The beloved concubine said,"I didnt promise anything."

  From Jier to Ai Fei, the distinction between intimacy and distance was clear and easy to see, a silent warning that Qiao Jinger naturally picked up on.

  "Today, I have nothing to do and am strolling around the palace at will. Unexpectedly, I heard a melody of the guqin. Your Majesty, please dont laugh at me, this is my only hobby..."

  Zong Zhengjin probably knew what was going on when he heard this, and as long as it didnt touch his bottom line, he would always be willing to indulge the clever woman a bit more.

  "I naturally know that your piano skills are top-notch, and few people can play more beautiful music than you."

  The queen sat beside him, feeling a sour taste in her heart. The affection between the two was obvious, and she felt out of place here. She had already missed the most suitable time to leave, so now she could only sit up straight and pretend to be interested.

  "Can the emperor know who is playing the piano?" Shu Gui Fei didnt wait for his response and continued, "Unexpectedly, it was actually Sus younger sister. Although her piano skills are not among the best, listening to her play is very captivating, with a lively and dynamic air about it."

  Zong Zhengjin suddenly heard the name, his heart still trembled unpredictably. In these few days, no one mentioned it in front of him, and he didnt deliberately avoid thinking about it, but thought there was nothing special, only to realize now that he was obviously wrong.

  "Really?"

  Qiao Jingyu saw his face suddenly turn cold, and she was a little afraid, but still knelt down, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion day, its hard to find someone who understands, I beg Your Majesty to forgive Su."

  "What does Your Majesty think?" Zong Zhengjin glanced at the person kneeling on the ground and asked the empress.

  The queen felt bitter in her heart, although she was very unwilling, but seeing this situation still made a wise choice that was most beneficial to her, and also knelt down, "I, the concubine, also agree with Shus sisters opinion, Mid-Autumn Festival gathering, more people will make it more lively."

  Although this excuse is a bit clumsy, the palace is not short of people, one more or less, but she relies on her two points of understanding of the emperor, saying that it has little impact, because the emperor obviously decided long ago.

  "In that case, let her come out then."

  The queen listened to the emperors voice without any ups and downs, as if he was saying "Todays weather is really good", seemingly not caring about this decision at all.

  Maybe I guessed wrong?

  "In that case, Ill thank the Emperor on behalf of Sus sister first," Qiao Jingyu was obviously much smarter than the Empress, no matter what reason the Emperor had agreed to, but she only wanted a result.

  Zong Zhengjin closed his eyes again and responded casually.

  "Ill take my leave first."

  The queen didnt stay much longer either and said, "Ill go prepare too."

  The two walked out, with Shu Guifei slightly lagging behind the Empress by half a step. From a distance, it seemed as though they had a very good relationship, chatting and laughing together, presenting a harmonious and peaceful scene.

  Only in close combat, with flashing knives and swords, amidst a rain of blood and a storm of steel, if on the battlefield, they would have already exchanged hundreds of blows.

  "The Empress had no idea that Shu would also fawn all over others, let alone a minor noble. The Queen had already taken a dislike to her obsequious behavior when she was in the palace."

  Shu Guifei smiled carelessly, "Im afraid that in the future, Her Majesty the Empress will do even more than I, a humble concubine. At that time, I wonder what kind of attitude Her Majesty the Empress will have."

  "How dare you!"

  The Shu Guifei stepped forward, "Your Majesty the Empress, please calm your anger and forgive me. Today is a good day, I hope Your Majesty wont let my mistake ruin your mood."

  The empress suddenly withdrew the anger from her face, coldly smiling, "I naturally dont have to get angry with you, Im not as leisurely as Consort Shu to listen to the zither, I still need to go back and attend to my duties."

  "Your humble servant sends off Her Majesty the Empress," said Qiao Jingyu, in a very calm tone, without any hint of resentment or envy.

  The queens fingers turned pale, but her face was smiling with great magnanimity, and she left with the majesty of a queen.

  "Your Ladyship, why must you help Su Guiren?" Green Silk asked in puzzlement.

  In her opinion, since she was already in the position of Imperial Noble Consort, in this deep palace, apart from the Empress, there was no one else who needed to be feared, and even more so, there was no need to risk losing imperial favor to plead for a small noblewoman.

  Shu Gui Fei was also guessing, although she could guess a little, it was only because the emperor allowed her to guess, and for more, she was just guessing.

  The emperors feelings for another woman.

  Fortunately, she had bet correctly.

  It is fortunate, yet unfortunate.

  "Helping her once today, its never easy to send charcoal in snowy weather, I suppose she will remember the good deeds of this palace."

  Helping her was just leaving a way out for the Qiao family.

  I hope she wins this gamble, if she loses it will be the lives of all her clansmen.

  "The young lady has a kind heart and a Bodhisattvas compassion. Su Gui will surely repay the young lady in the future."

  Qiao Jing snorted coldly, "Bodhisattvas heart? Dont say such things in the future, I am not a Bodhisattva."

  In this palace, there has never been anyone with a Bodhisattva heart, because people like that generally dont live for long.

  "Yes, your servant has taken note."

  Drunken Cloud Villa

  "Master, Huilin from the Empresss side has arrived," said Sha Xiang as she walked in.

  Su Jingxi was slightly surprised and revealed a cryptic smile, "Let her in."

  "The slave pays respects to Noble Consort Su."

  "Huilin, please get up quickly. I dont know if the Empress has any instructions for you today?" Su Jing asked, making a gesture with her eyes, and let Dai Man hand over a purse to her.

  Although her relationship with the empress is not good, she naturally cannot put on airs in front of the senior palace maid beside the empress.

  At least thats how it seems to outsiders, even if Su Jing doesnt mind at all.

  Hui Lins eyes showed a hint of appreciation, since the other party understood her intentions, she could handle things more easily.

  "The Empress and Consort Shu have both pleaded for Su Xiaos case, and the Emperor has already agreed to lift her house arrest. Tonights banquet is still expected, so please make preparations early, Young Master."

  She curtsied again and pointed to the two palace maids who had just entered, "The Empress is afraid that you are not prepared, so she has specially ordered us to bring some rewards for you. Clothes, hairpins, and jewelry have all been prepared."

  Su Jings eyes sparkled and she smiled, "I thank the Empress for her kindness in advance. Tomorrow, I will personally go to thank the Empress for her favor."

  "Yes, I will help Young Master convey his words. Since there is still something to attend to in Kun Ning Palace, I will take my leave first."

  "Huilin girl walks slowly, Dai Man, go see her off."

  Huiling knew that Dai Man was a senior palace maid by the side of Su Gui, and letting her send her away was also a kind of dignity. At this time, she didnt decline either, made a curtsy and retreated out.

  "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager...". Ting Yao listened from the side and understood, also having a few insights in her heart, "Your Majesty should think thrice, the Empress Dowager helping Your Majesty now must have an ulterior motive."

  Su Jing knew it wasnt easy for her to say such words, and her heart warmed up. "Alright, I understand what you mean. Just dont say such things again in the future."

  Yao Ting looked around and heard a voice from behind the wall, "The slave understands, but the master..."

  "Do you really think its the Queen who is helping us?"

  "What does the master mean... Shu Guifei? Why would she want to help us?" Ting Yao was somewhat puzzled, as their own master and Shu Guifei had little interaction with each other, and their relationship had always been distant.

  Su Jing gently stirred her tea cup, "I dont know either, this is the second time already. Last time when Du Chang was there, I guessed it was also her."

  "Master, if its like that, then it doesnt make sense. She told Master the news, and Master must have done something about it. Then Master was put under house arrest by the Emperor, but now she has helped us lift the ban... from start to finish, its all because of her..."

  Su Jing smiled lazily and said, "I was put under house arrest not because of her, but because I sought it out myself. Im afraid she didnt expect that I would voluntarily confess to the Emperor."

  Ting Yao wasnt clear about the specifics of what happened that day in the Zichen Palace, only knowing that after coming out, Master was put under house arrest. If it was because Master had voluntarily confessed and provoked the Emperors anger, then it couldnt be explained even more.

  Su Jing saw that she didnt understand for a moment, and it was somewhat amusing. Listening to Yao had been serving her for many years, always with the demeanor of a little adult, sometimes thinking more clearly than herself.